Injured Tennessee State Football Player Receives Threat From NCAA

The NCAA threatened to strip an injured linebacker at Tennessee State University (TSU) of his eligibility if fundraisers in support of him were not shut down.

Christion Abercrombie suffered a severe head injury last week during the second quarter of the team’s game against Vanderbilt. The sophomore linebacker was rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery. Abercrombie has been listed in critical condition since Saturday’s surgery and remains unconscious.

Family and friends have surrounded the player with prayers and care while watching for small signs of improvement each day. According to his uncle, Kevin Richardson, Abercrombie has been showing positive signs of recovery.

“It’s been a hard time, but we’re going to get through it,” Richardson said. “God is here with us and Christion. He knows it, and he’s going to be just fine. He is improving daily, and we’re looking forward to seeing more from him.”

The fact that this college football player is injured and unconscious has not stopped the NCAA from enforcing its policies. The organization, who enforces strict rules on college athletes about receiving funds and gifts, has forced two GoFundMe pages to shut down. The pages were created by two non-relatives in order to help assist Abercrombie’s family with medical expenses, housing, and necessities as they gather in Nashville from Atlanta.

Since the pages were taken down a third NCAA approved GoFundMe has emerged.

Here is the only NCAA approved GoFundMe set up to assist with the support of Christion Abercrombie & his family. Per @NCAA legislation, Tennessee St is the only entity permitted to solicit funds for the student-athlete & his family.https://t.co/VrQGxlvxxx #StandWithChristion

— TennesseeSt Football (@tsu_football) October 1, 2018

The NCAA will be able to oversee the use of the funds collected through the new page. The organization has not addressed why they chose to shut down additional resources for the Abercrombie family; however, Stacey Osburn of public relations has stated via Twitter that “the NCAA is working with Tennessee State and supports its efforts as the community rallies around Christion Abercrombie and his family.”